Slug casting machine



Oct. 22, 1935. ejP. KINGSBURY 2,018,132

' SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed May 51, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

D INVENTOR BY 2 77 I z A TTORNEYS Get. 22, 1935. G. P. KINGSBURY SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed May 51, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 r l l l I I l ll 11v VENTOR P A TTORNE Y5 Get. 22, 1935. G. P; KINGSBURY SLUG' CASTING MACHINE Filed May 31, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTORNE Y5 IN VENTOR B Y x Z n z 47W] w W M'EEIKM mm .M 2:

Oct. 22, 1935. e. P. KINGSBURY SLUG CASTING- MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 51, 1934 11v VENTOR 1. A TTORNE Y6 Patented Oct. 22, 1935 warren stares @ATENT OFFECE Mergenthaler Linoty tion of New York pe Company, a corpora- Application May 31, 1934, Serial No. 728,203

22 Claims.

This invention relates to slug casting machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No. 436,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine by a keyboard mechanism in the order in which their characters are to appear in print, and then composed in line in an assembling elevator, the composed line transferred to a transporter or so-called first elevator which descends to present the composed line to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned to the magazine from which they started.

More particularly it relates to certain improvements for adapting the machine to handle large special matrices having their casting edges d void or" the usual mold engaging ears, and wherein a composed line is preferably supported during casting in a matrix composing hand stick sustained on the vise frame.

The improvements contemplated by the instant invention are in the form of an attachment with which the commercial linotype machine may be equipped and include a holder adapted to be clamped to the usual stationary vise frame for sustaining at the casting level a hand stick in which a composed'line of matrices is supported. After the hand stick (with a line of matrices composed therein) has been properly positioned in the holder, the machine is started by the hand operable control lever which inaugurates the usual cycle of operations. That is, the mold disc is rotated through a quarter revolution to bring the mold selected for use into the casting position, the mold disc moved forward to bring the selected mold in contact with the casting edges of the matrices, and the slug cast. Thereafter the mold disc recedes and rotates through threequarters of a revolution to bring the mold into the ejecting position, whereupon the mold disc is again moved forward to facilitate the ejection of the slug. The first elevator or line transporter which usually functions when the matrices are mechanically composed plays no part when the present improvements are employed and accordingly is restrained against descent in its normal or intermediate position.

The mold for use with the special matrices is of a lower height or depth than the regular molds with which the machine is likewise equipped, and when the mold disc is moved forward to permit the ejection of the slug from the special mold, it may happen that one of the regular molds will at the time be opposite the line of special matrices supported in the holder on the stationary vise frame. In order to prevent injury to the parts under such conditions, the invention further contemplates means for firmly holding the composed line of special matrices against the special mold as the mold disc comes forward to. eifect the casting operation, and for permitting the composed line to yield when a regular mold is brought in contact therewith as the mold disc comes for- 1Q ward to eiiect the ejection of the slug from the special mold.

The invention also contemplates means for arresting the first elevator or transporter in its normal or intermediate position when the hand stick holder is used, means for rendering the vise automatically inoperative to stop the machine when such holder is used, and improvements in the matrix composing hand stick, whereby the special matrices which bear characters of different sizes and must be presented to the mold at different casting levels are properly positioned with respect to the special molds u sed therewith.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a portion of a linotype machine equipped with the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the improved attachment showing a hand stick supported in the vise frame preparatory to the 3 0 casting operation;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, the vise frame being omitted;

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail vertical sectional views showing the manner of mounting the adjustable hand stick supporting member;

Fig. 6 is a detail face view of the member shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. '7 is a vertical section through the casting mechanism, showing the parts in their. normal position of rest;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view showing the hand stick supported at a lower level than that shown in Figs. 3 and 7;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view, partly in section, similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts in a different position;

Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation of the hand stick, showing the matrix retaining bar raised to permit a line to be composed in the stick;

Fig. 12 is an end view of the hand stick shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a detail front elevation, partly in section, showing the manner in which the hand stick is yieldingly mounted;

Fig. 14 is a detail face view of a star wheel used in the control of the mechanism for sustaining the stick when the mold disc moves forward during the casting operation, and for permitting the stick to yield when the mold disc comes forward during the ejection of the slug; and

Fig. 15 is a detail View showing the casting faces of three of the large special matrices and the common base alinement of their individual characters.

In the normal operation of the machine, that is, when the regular matrices are used, the matrices are released, one at a time from a magazine and composed in line in an assembler A, the assembler raised to bring the line in registry with an intermediate channel B, the line transferred to the first elevator or transporter C which thereupon descends to position the composed line between the usual vise jaws H, H supported in the fixed vise frame E, and in casting relation with a mold carried by the mold disc D. The mold disc D is rotatably mounted as usual on a fore-and-aft mold slide (not shown) and may be equipped with four molds, any selected one of which may be brought into use by the rotary adjustment of the disc as eifected in the usual way by the driving pinion D Thereafter the mold disc is advanced to bring the selected mold in contact with the casting edges of the matrices to close the mold at the front, the metal pot advanced to close the mold at the rear, and the mold filled with molten metal to form the slug. After the slug has been cast the mold disc D recedes and is rotated through three-quarters of a revolution to bring the mold into the ejecting position. The mold disc again is advanced to permit the ejection of the slug, the first elevator or transporter in the meantime having ascended to deliver the composed line to the second elevator for transfer to the distributing mechanism which returns the matrices to the magazine from whence they started. The mechanism thus far described is well known and, except as hereinafter stated, forms no part of the invention.

As previously stated, the present improvements contemplate an attachment for adapting the machine to cast slugs from large special matrices X, such as shown in Figs. '7, 9, and 15.

The special matrices X are of plain rectangular form, being devoid of projecting ears, and are considerably larger than the regular matrices in order to increase (to a still greater degree than would be afforded by the mere elimination of the projecting ears) the space allotted to the characters. The characters a: of the matrices X, as shown herein, have a range up to 72 pt. and are positioned on the casting edges of the matrices, throughout the several fonts, With'reference to a common datum line located at a given distance from the bottom edges of the matrices. In the present embodiment (see Fig. 15) this datum line a--a passes through the bases of the characters, and the bottom edges of the matrices are dressed to provide suitable alining surfaces 1: so that when the matrices are composed side by side in line and supported on their bottom edges, the characters wil be properly alined at their bases irrespective of size or font. The matrices are further provided in their upper edges with notches x at the front and in their lower or alining edges with notches m both of which are adapted toreceive retaining or keeper elements with which the hand stick is provided in order to prevent disengagement of the matrices from the stick during the casting operation. For reasons later to be pointed out, the matrices X are formed in their casting edges with transverse routing 5 notches or recesses 51: of slightly greater than normal depth, and the characters are punched in the bottom of these recesses.

As stated before, the disc A is provided with four molds and, as the machine for the most part 1 is for operation in the normal way with the regular matrices, three of such molds L are of the normal height or depth to cooperate with the regular matrices, and are provided with the usual mold alining ribs for cooperation with the mold 15 engaging ears of the matrices. The fourth or special mold L is for use with the special matrices X and differs from the regular molds in that it is of less height or depth to cooperate with the deeper recesses or routing notches r of the special 20 matrices, and further in that it is devoid of mold alining ribs or grooves in its front face which instead is made plain and flat throughout to co.- operate with the special earless matrices X.

Themold L generally includes the base portion L screwed to the mold disc D, a cap portion L formed with core sections L andintermediate end sections or liners L (see Figs. 1 and 7) arranged at the opposite ends of the mold. The width of the mold slots of the various molds L for use with the special matrices X varies in size in accordance with the size of the matrix char acters thereon. The width of the mold slot may be varied by the use of different liners or end sections L of the proper size, or, if desired, other 85 molds may be used. The casting surfaces Z of the moldsfor the various type sizes is coincident with the datum or constant line of the mold, and throughout the differentmolds is arranged at the same distance from the axis of the mold disc. 49 Consequently, when the special matrices of different sizes are used with molds of corresponding sizes it is necessary to present composed lines of such matrices at different casting levels depending upon the size of the characters employed. 45 This is accomplished by varying the level at which the matrix composing hand stick wherein a line of matrices is composed is presented to the mold and will be referred to hereinafter.

The hand stick F for use with the special mat- 50 rices X is shown in Fig. 11 and comprises gener ally upper and lower rail members F F end wall members F F connecting the rail members, and a wall member F closing the hand stick at the rear. The hand stick is open at the front to permit the assembling of the matrices therein, and the lower rail member F is provided at its front with a scale F graduated in ems as an aid to the operator in determining the proper length of a line. The lower rail member is further provided with an upstanding keeper element F". extending throughout its entire length and adapted to engage in the notches :0 in the bottom alining edges of the matrices X to assist in preventing disengagement of the latter from the hand stick during a casting operation. In order to clamp the matrices in the stick, there is provided a movable end plate F of substantially the same width and height as the matrices and having its front edge coinciding with the front or casting edges of the matrices to close off the line at one end, it being understood that the line is closed at the other end by the end wall F The clamping plate member F is slidably mounted upon the lower rail member F 7 2,018,132 and is arranged for limited movement lengthwise of the stick to effect the clamping of the matrices therein. For this purpose the clamping plate member F is drilled with a hole to receive a shouldered stud f threaded into the end wall member F and formed at its outer end with a head f loosely seated in a recess f constituting an enlargement of the drill hole just alluded to. The shank of the stud f is of sufficient length to permit a limited movement of the plate member F endwise of the stick as determined by the difference between the length of the shank of the stud ,f and the thickness of the plate member 1 at the bottom of the recess f Clamping pressure is exerted on the end of the composed line by a rocker arm F pivotally mounted as at f on the bottom rail member F at the left end thereof (looking from the front'of the hand stick) and having an upper vertical arm I received in a recess I cut in the end plate member F in the side adjacent the end plate F of the hand stick. The rocker arm F is also formed with a horizontal arm f provided at its end with a set screw 1' threaded through the arm I and banking at its end against a raised surface I on the bottom of the rail member F The set screw f is equipped with a knurled knob 1, the arrangement being such that as the operator screws up on the set screw f, the arm F is rocked causing the vertical arm f to engage at its end against the clamping plate F and thus force the latter tightly up against a composed line of matrices to clamp them firmly in position in the hand stick.

The matrices are further secured against displacement from the hand stick during a casting operation by an adjustable keeper plate F mounted for limited parallel movement upon the .upper rail member F by means of a pair of diagonal slots f and screws I passing through the slots and threaded into the rail member F at the front. In the raised or leftmost position of the keeper plate F as shown in Fig. 11, the lower edge thereof clears the upper edges of the matrices, giving access to the stick for assembling and removing the matrices therefrom; whereas, when the plate F is pushed to the right, it moves downwardly by virtue of its parallel motion until it banks at its right end against the inner face of the end wall member F in which position the lower edge thereof engages in the notches 0: provided in the upper edges of the matrices X. It might be here stated that the end wall member F and the clamping plate member F are formed in their upper edges with notches f and I corresponding to the notches m in the matrices X to provide clearance for the keeper plate F As previously stated, the different matrices .are presented to the mold at different casting levels, depending upon their character sizes, and this is accomplished by supporting the hand stick F at different levels in a fixed holder G sustained on the stationary vise frame E. For this purpose, there is provided an adjustable plate F pivotally secured to the hand stick at the back and presenting a series of edges I spaced at different distances from the pivot point and each corresponding to a matrix of a different character size. Thus, in Fig. 6, the plate F is shown adjusted for use with matrices having a character size of 72 pt. Herein the edge marked 12 (the edge located the greatest distance from the pivot point) is arranged to bank against a fixed supporting ledge g formed in the holder G when the hand stick is inserted in the holder and, under such circumstances, the hand stick will be presented at the highest level to aline a composed line of 72 pt. matrices in casting relation with a '72 pt. mold. When matrices of different; character sizes are employed, as for instance of 60, 48, 42, and 36 pts., the plate F is adjusted to present the correspondingly marked edges for engagement with the supporting ledge 9 when inserted in the holder. In this way proper alinei 17: ment for the matrices of different character sizes is obtained.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the plate F is pivotally mounted on a stud ,1 extending through and secured to the back wall F of the; hand stick. The stud J is formed at one end with a circular recess f and a tapered recess f" branching downwardly therefrom. The recess I is adapted to register with one or another of a series of recesses I in the plate mem-ii.) ber F depending upon the adjustment of the latter. The plate F is held in its adjusted position by a key f formed at the end of a shank f and resting in the recesses 1 and f and the particular recess I which at the time happens to be in registry with the recess P The shank f extends through the stud ,f and is formed at its opposite end with a head I arranged to slide in another recess 1 formed in the stud f at the end opposite the recess f Between thei head f and the bottom of the recess ,f there is provided a spring I encircling the shank f and acting by its tension to hold the key I firmly in the recess, thus securing the plate F in its adjusted position. In order to readjust'i the plate F it is necessary only to press on the shank head f against the tension of the spring i to force the key f out of the recesses in which it rests, whereupon the plate F may be turned to any position of adjustment desired. 7 40 If for any reason a composed line of matrices is not in proper alinement with the mold slot after all proper adjustments have been made, such alinement is automatically effected by a pair of tapered projections Z one arranged at each end of the mold slot and extending forwardly fro-m the mold face. These projections are adapted to enter into a. corresponding pair of recess formed in the front edges of the end walls F F of the hand stick F, as the mold moves forward for the lock-up prior to casting. The taper of the projections and the corresponding taper of the recesses will produce a slight movement of the hand stick transversely of the mold slot to effect accurate alinement in the event such adjustment is necessary.

After a line of matrices has been composed in the hand stick and the proper adjustment oi. the plate F made, depending upon the size of the characters in use, the stick is placed in the machine in the stationary holder G secured to the vise cap E As shown in Fig. 7, the vise cap includes a horizontal body portion E a pair of supporting wall members E extending the length of the vise cap and-sustaining the latter upon the stationary vise frame E, and a depending vertical rear wall member E terminating at its lower edge somewhat above the top of the vise frame E. g

The hand stick holder G is secured in position on the vise cap E and located between the vise jaws H, H directly opposite the mold. The holder G includes generally a vertical body portion Gr resting against the rear face of the vise cap E a top offset horizontal portion G over lying the visecap and equipped at its ends with a pair of set screws G threaded through the top portion and engaging the vise cap at the top for adjusting the holder at the proper level, and a lower rearwardly extending horizontal portion G of comparatively short length 7 arranged at approximately the center of the holder and presenting the ledge g at the top against which the hand stick banks in use. The holder is secured in position on the vise cap by a clamping member G screwed to the rearwardly extending portion G of the holder at the underside thereof and having a. portion extending beneath the rear wall E of the vise cap and provided with a thumb screw G which engages said wall at the bottom;

The hand stick F is located in use between a pair of end members G and G (see Fig. 10) provided on the body portion G and extending inwardly toward the mold. The end member G7 is formed as an integral part of the body por tion G of the holder'and terminates at its inner edge flush with the inner face of the right hand vise jaw H the member G7 being cut out, as at G, to receive said jaw. The portion of the end member G between the vise jaw and the hand stick is of sufficient thickness to hold the vise jaw to the right somewhat beyond its normal position so that the well known pump stop lever (not shown) is held in a position to permit the casting operation to proceed. The member G at the left is similar to the member G' in that it terminates flush with the rear face of the lefthand vise. jaw H and is cut out similarly to the member G7 to receive said vise jaw. It difers from the member G however, in that it is formed as part of a separate bracket member G secured to the holder G at the left.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and '7, the elevator C is held against descent in its normal intermediate position by a pair of upright plates G located at the opposite ends of the holder G and formed at their lower ends with lateral extensions G by means of which they are secured to the holder. The plates G further serve to aline the hand stick with the holder and for this purpose are formed at their inner edges with opposed flanges G and are flared at their outer edges to facilitate the insertion of the hand stick from the front. As the hand stick is positioned between the uprights G the end walls F F thereof at their front edges bank against the flanges G thus properly locating the stick for insertion in the holder.

The hand stick is guided to its proper position in the holder by a pair of vertical tongue members 9 arranged to engage in grooves I formed in the end walls F and F of the hand stick, and pivotally mounted one in each of the holder end members G and G8 which are recessed for the purpose. As shown in Fig. 13, the tongue members g are formed each with a pair of spaced hinge lugs drilled to receive a hinge pin 9 which extends at its upper and lower ends into the end members G, G and is secured therein. by a transverse pin 9 Between the lug members 9 and encircling the hinge pin g there is provided a torsion spring 9 which acts to press the tongue member g associated with each end member G G against the walls of the recesses formed there-- in and which are normal to the opposed faces thereof between which the hand stick is located. The tongue members 9 serve to locate the hand stick at the proper distance in front of the mold.

As the special mold L moves forward during a casting operation into contact with the casting edges of the matrices, the hand stick F must be sustained against rearward movement to provide the necessary pressure for the lock-up. As the mold L (which, as will be recalled, is of less depth than the regular molds) moves forward to facilitate the ejection of the slug, however, one of the regular or deeper molds may at the time be opposite the line of matrices supported in the hand stick. Consequently, at this phase of the operation, the line must be permitted to yield in order to prevent damage to the parts. For this purpose, there is provided a series of vertical banking ribs 9 carried by a slide 9'' extending longitudinally of the holder and arranged in a recess formed in the rear face thereof. When the special mold L is in the casting position, the slide g is in its leftmost position where-in the banking blocks g are located in front of and in contact with a corresponding series of banking ribs I" formed on the rear wall of the hand stick F at the back (see Fig. 10), thus preventing any rearward movement of the hand stick and furnishing the necessary pressure for the lock-up. VWhen the special mold L is in the ejecting position, however, the slide g" is moved to its rightmost position wherein the banking blocks 9 thereon clear the banking ribs I on the hand stick F (see Fig. 2) and in the event there is a regular or high mold opposite the line at the time the hand stick F is permitted to yield against the tension of torsion springs g associated with the hand stick alining tongues g There is suflicient play between the tongues g and the grooves I in the hand stick to permit the necessary rearward movement of the latter.

The reciprocal movement of the slide g is effected by the fore-and-aft movement of the mold disc, and is controlled from a star wheel or edge g rotate-my mounted beneath the plate G on a stud g screwed into said plate. The slide or has a portion extending to the left of the holder G and to which there is connected one arm g of a bell-crank lever 9111 likewise pivotally mounted on the plate G at the under side thereof. The other arm g of the bell-crank lever o is provided, at its end, with a cam follower 9 arranged to track upon the periphery of the cam g and held in contact therewith by a tension spring 9 anchored at its opposite ends to the slide g and the stationary holder G. As shown in Fig. 14, the cam g is formed with four high portions 9 and intermediate low portions 9 When the cam follower Q13 is adjacent a high portion 9 of the cam, the slide g is located in its leftmost position, whereas, when the cam follower is adjacent an intermediate lower portion 9 of the cam, said slide is located in its rightmost position. The cam g is actuated from the mold disc D through the medium of a ratchet mechanism which includes. a sprocket wheel g- (having eight teeth) pinned to the cam g and a dog 9 springpressed against the sprocket g and pivotally mounted at the underside of a plate g slidably mounted in a groove formed in the under side of the plate G and arranged for a limited foreand-aft movement as determined by a screw g threaded into the plate G at the right and engaging in a recess Q formed in the edge of the plate 9 (see Fig. 8) As the mold disc D comes forward, it engages a set screw 9 threaded into --a depending lug 91 formed at the rear end of the slide g to actuate the latter forwardly against the tension of a spring g anchored at its forward end to the pin 0 secured to the slide 9" and at f' io casti its rear t6, the stationary plate G thus. causing tliefdog r1 carried by the slide to rotate the 5 7 1 throughl distance of one tooth, or, tamounts to the same thing, to rotate the a position wherein the cam follower p 3 is opposite a high portion of the cam ,to a. pos i 'on wherein the follower is opposite a vlow pa. ion thereof or vice versa. It is to be lstoo'd, of course, that preparatory to the ng operation and when the special mold L is selected for use, the cam follower 9 will be adjacent a low portion of the cam so that as the mold disc comes forward to effect the casting operation the cam g is rotated to bring a high portion thereof into active position to actuate the slide 9 to the left for the purpose previously described. It will be noted from Fig. 14 that the cam is so formed that substantially the full movement of the slide to the right is effected in a comparatively short range of 'movement of the mold disc at the beginning of the forward strokethereof 'so thatthere is no chance whatsoever of any interference between a regular mold of normal depth and a line of matrices supported inthe holder. I

The machine is equipped with the usual vise automatic '(not shown) operated from a rod E extending upwardly through the vise cap E In the ordinary operation of the machine (that is, when the herein described improvements are not sed) the elevator C descends to present a comjoos'e d line to the mold and. if the composed line is in proper alinement with the mold, the vise automatic is operated by a stud C carried by the top portion C of the elevator which overhangs the vise frame and which banks against the vise automatic rod E at the top to depress the latter in a manner well known to permit the cycle of operations of the machine to proceed. When the present improvements are employed, however, the first elevator C is held against descent in its normal or intermediate position, and consequently is incapable of operating the vise automatic in the usual way. In order to render the vise automatic ineffective to stop the machine, there is provided an arm G secured to the upper portion G of the holder at the front and having a set screw G located at its forward end which is adapted, when the holder G is in use, to engage the vise automatic rod E at the top and maintain the same in a depressed condition so, that the cycle of operations may proceed.

In the accompanying drawings the invention has been shown in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to a machine of the class stated, but obviously many modifications and alterations may be made therein and in its mode of application without departing from the spirit of the invention. It should, therefore, be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

' Having thus described claim is: I

1, In a slug casting machine having a vertically movabletransporter normally operative to present a composed line of matrices in casting relation to the mold, the combination of a holder detachably secured to a stationary memberof the machine for sustaining at the casting level my invention, what I a hand stick wherein a composed line of matrices is supported, and means carried by the holder for arresting the transporter above its lower level when the hand stick holder is in use to prevent interference therewith.

2. In a slug casting machine having a vertically movable transporter normally operative to present a composed line of matrices in casting 5 relation to the mold, the combination of a stationary vise frame and a vise automatic nor mally operable by the transporter to permit a casting operation to proceed when a line is properly presented to the mold, a holder detachably 10 secured to the vise frame for supporting at the casting level a composed line of matrices, means for arresting the transporter above its lower level when the holder is in use, and means acting independently of the transporter for conditioning the vise automatic to permit continued operation of the machine.

3. In a slug casting machine having a vertically movable transporter normally operative to present a composed line of matrices in casting relation to the mold, the combination of a stationary vise frame and a vise automatic normally operable'by the transporter to permit a casting operation to proceed when a line is properly presented to the mold, a holder detachably secured to the vise frame for supporting at the casting level a composed line of matrices, means for arresting the transporter above its lower level when the holder is in use, and means on the holder for maintaining the vise automatic in condition to permit continued operation of the machine.

4. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a movable mold carrier adapted to be provided with molds of different depths and arranged to carry the mold selected for use from the casting to the ejecting position, means for supporting a composed line of matrices at the casting level for cooperation with the selected mold, means for advancing the mold carrier at 40 one time to bring the selected mold into contact with the line for the casting of a slug and at another time for the ejection of the slug, and means for sustaining the line against the mold: during the casting operation and for permitting the line to yield during the ejection operation in the event a mold of greater depth is at that time opposite the line.

5. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a movable mold carrier adapted to be provided with molds of different depths and arranged to carry the mold selected for use from the casting to the ejecting position, means sustained by a stationary member of the machine and! supporting a composed line of matrices at 65 the casting level for cooperation with the selected mold, means for advancing the mold carrier at one time to bring the selected mold into contact with the line for the casting of a slug and at another time for the ejection of the slug, and means for sustaining the line against the mold during the casting operation and for permitting the line to yield during the ejecting operation in the event a mold of greater depth is at that time opposite the line.

6. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a movable mold carrier adapted to be provided with molds of different depths and arranged to carry the mold selected for use from the casting to the ejecting position, means sustained by a stationary member of the machine and supporting a composed line of matrices at the casting level for cooperation with the se- 'lected mold, means for advancing the mold carerated element of the machine.

contact with the line for the casting of a slug and at 'anothertirne' for the ejection of the slug,

and means operable by a periodically movable element of the machine for sustaining the line against the mold during the casting operation and for permitting the line to yield during the ejecting operation in the event a mold of greater depth is at that time opposite the line.

"7. In a slug casting machine, the combination of amovable mold carrier adapted to be pro-- vided with molds of different depths and arranged to carry the mold selected for use from the casting to the ejecting position, means sus-' tained by a stationary member of the machine and supporting a composed line of matrices at the casting level for'cooperation with the selected mold, means for advancing the carrier mold at one time to bring the selected mold into contact with the line for the casting of a slug and at another time for the ejection of the slug, and means operable by the mold carrier for sustaining the line against the mold during the casting operation and for permitting the line to yield during the ejecting operation in the event a mold of greater depth is at that time opposite the line.

8. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a movable mold carrier adapted tobe provided with molds of different depths and arranged to carry the mold selected for use from the casting to the ejecting position, a hand stick wherein a line of matrices is composed, .a holder 7 for sustaining the hand stick with the line therein at'the casting level throughout the operation of themachine for cooperation with the selected mold, means for advancing the mold carrier at one time to bring the selected mold intocontact with the line for the'castingof a slug and at another time to facilitate'the ejection of the slug, and means including a seriesof abutments adjustable at one time into position to sustain 10. The combination in acco dance with claim 8, wherein the abutments referred to are carried by an element slidably mounted in the holder and movable into its different positions of adjustment under the control'of the movable mold carrier;

'11. In a slug casting machine adapted to be equipped with matrices having oasting edges formed with intaglio characters of different 7 heights and presentable to the mold at different casting levels depending upon the height of the characters, the combinationlof' a'holder detach- :ably secured to a stationary memberof the machine for sustaining at the casting level a hand stick wherein a line of matrices is composed, and

adjustable means carried by the hand stick for varying the position thereof in" the holder in accordance with the height of the characters on the 'matrices in use. o

12. The combination in accordance with claim 7' :11, wherein the adjustable means carried by the hand stick comprises a banking element arranged to cooperate with stationary'means in the holder, and which is adjustableto present aseriesof different banking portions to said stationary means, whereby the hand stick is positioned at correspondingly different casting levels.

13. The combination in accordance with claim 11, wherein the adjustable means carried by the hand stick comprises a banking plate arranged to cooperate with stationary supporting means in the holder, and presenting a series of different banking surfaces selectable according to them height of the matrix characters in use, whereby the composed line of matrices is presented to the moldat the proper casting level. V

14. In a slug casting machine adapted to be equipped with matrices having casting edges formed with intaglio characters of different heights located thereon for common base alin'ement, the combination of a slotted mold whose contiguous face is adaptedto contact with the casting edges of the matrices, a'hand stick in which-a line of matrices is composed, a stationary holder sustaining the hand stick with the composed line therein in casting relation with the mold, and means for adjusting the hand stick to one or another of a series of different transverse positions according to the height of the matrix characters in use.

'15. In a slug casting machine adapted to be equipped with matrices having casting edges formed with intaglio characters of different heights located thereon for commonbase alinement, the combination of a slotted mold whose contiguous face is adapted to contact with the casting edges of'the matrices, a hand stick in Y which a line of matrices is composed; a stationary holder sustaining the hand stick with the composed line therein in casting relation'with the mold, and means carried by the hand stick for adjusting it to one or another of a series of different transverse positions according to the 40 height of the matrix characters in use."

- 16. In a 'slug casting machine adapted to be equipped with matrices having casting :edges formed with intaglio characters of different heights located thereon for common base aline- 46 ment, the combination of a slotted mold whose contiguous face is adapted to contact'with'the casting edges of the matrices, a hand stick in which a line of matrices is composed, a stationary holder sustaining the hand stick with the 50 composed line therein-in casting relation with the mold, and an adjustable member carried by the hand stick and cooperating with a fixed member on the holder for locating the hand stick in one or another of a series of different '55 transverse position according to the'height of the matrix characters in use.

17. In a slug casting machinexadapted to be equipped with matrices having casting edges devoid of mold engaging ears and formed in said edges with intaglio characters, the combination of a slotted mold whose contiguous face is adapted to contact with the casting edges of the p matrices, a'hand stick wherein a line of matrices is, composed, a holder for supporting the hand 5 stick with the line therein at the proper casting level, and means'on the mold arranged to cooperate with the hand stick for properly alining the matrix characters with the mold slot notwithstanding the absence of mold engaging ears on the matrices. a a a 18. Thecombination in accordance with claim 17, wherein the means for properly alining the matrix characters with the mold slot includes a pair of tapered projections located on the mold and arranged to cooperate with a pair of corresponding recesses in the hand stick when the contiguous face of the mold is in contact \m'th the casting edges of the matrices.

19. In on for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick for matrices equipped with notches in the top edges thereof opening into the casting edges, top and bottom rails for said hand stick, and a slidably adjustable keeper plate associated with said top rail and adapted to engage in the notches formed in said matrices to prevent disengagement thereof from the hand stick during a casting operation, said keeper plate being arranged with its outer face flush with the casting edges of the matrices.

20. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a stationary holder detachably secured in the machine for sustaining at the casting level, a hand stick wherein a composed line of matrices is supported, and guide means secured to and. extending above the holder properly to position the hand stick for insertion therein.

rights carried by the holder and serving to- 130- sition the hand stick for insertion therein and to arrest the transporter above its lower level to prevent interference with the holder.

22. In or for a slug casting machine, a matrix composing hand stick of fixed length, and provided at one end with a fixed end Wall and at the other end with a permanent movable end wall, adjustable to exert clamping pressure on the line of matrices composed in the hand stick, and hand operable means arranged inward of the movable end wall for adjusting said wall.

GEORGE P. KIN GSBURY. 

